Malaysia Detains Hundreds of Refugees and Migrants During Virus Lockdown
Human Rights Watch and the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network says over 700 migrants, including children, and Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were detained this past Friday, which the government claims was in response for illegally living in the country. Public anger has been turning towards migrants, with some accusing them of spreading the coronavirus and burdening government resources. Immigration raids preceded the arrests, where media photos showed dozens of migrants packed in trucks that usually carry foreign nationals to known cramped and unhygienic detention centers, while other migrants in crowds looked on. Malaysia, which does not recognize refugees under international law, has about 2 million registered foreign workers but the government estimates many more reside illegally. UNHCR confirmed that a small number of asylum-seekers had been detained. The location of the raids was near three buildings that had previously been placed under strict lockdowns last month following a surge in COVID-19 cases. (Reuters)